Socso gives man a new lease of life after accident

PETALING JAYA: Mydin Emporium employee P. Pathmashri irons and folds clothes like any other worker at the hypermarket in Klang.

The only difference is that the 33-year-old does all this with only two fingers on his right hand and a prosthetic arm.

After a motorcycle accident that changed his life three years ago, Pathmashri was jobless for two years and had, on several occasions, even contemplated suicide.

However, eight months ago, Socso found him a job at Mydin via its “Return To Work” programme.

“It was a life-changing moment. Having a job again made me feel like there is still hope and that I could still contribute,” said Pathmashri, who now takes the bus daily to work from his home in Kapar.

In 2010, the then factory worker was on his way home after work when a friend called him, saying that his house had been broken into.

“I rushed to my friend’s home and took him to the police station to lodge a report.

“I then helped him clean up the house, which had been ransacked.

“As soon as I left the house on my motorcycle, a speeding car hit me from behind and that is all I remember,” said Pathmashri.

He said doctors told him they could not re-attach his arm and fingers when he woke up at the hospital.

“At that moment, I thought of ending my life. I knew I would lose my job and what work can I do with only two fingers?

“After the accident, my mother had to bathe and feed me. I could not do anything for myself and I hated it,” said Pathmashri, who is the fifth of seven siblings.

If it was not for the support and motivation from his family, he said he would have given up.

“They supported me and cared for me. My doctors taught me how to do things using my two fingers.

“I slowly learnt how to write, feed myself and do most things on my own,” said Pathmashri, who became determined not to let the accident ruin his life. Pathmashri is now taking driving lessons after receiving the prosthetic arm.

According to Socso, since 2007, 7,739 people who lost their jobs after accidents or due to illness, have found employment through the programme.